There's lots of landmarks and points of interest across New Eden. Veterans think nothing of them, and would never suggest to a new player to visit them for any reason, short of something like the Eve Gate or Titanomachy.

But in fact, the sites can be neat to look at. And the act of seeking them out is an attractive gameplay concept, replicated in all manner of different games. If there were a mechanical reason to seek out these landmarks, it extends and deepens the concept of Exploration, as it occurs in Eve. It also makes your travels feel more real and tangible, as your movement between dark, un-populated systems are punctuated by real highlights, a purposeful lingering in one spot, a distinct break from grinding through anonymous anomalies.

In addition to this, new players are given incentive to venture out into low-sec and nullsec for a task that they can do on their own, while risking very little, for an easily conveyed objective, and for an immediately useful reward. This increases their likelihood to encounter PvP, and elements of the gameplay that are unknown in high-sec. Where joining a corp would typically be their impetus to leave high-sec, this presents a strong pull that does not require meeting that benchmark.

Landmark exploration could be introduced via simple text tutorial, granting some minor story element, and an additional guidepoint to focus a confused newbie's sense of purpose, if they so choose.

Since Eve is large, and accessing some areas can be inconvenient, this activity could have potential use long into a players lifetime, while yielding the strongest benefit early on.

I could go on. But mostly I just like the idea of places in space being pulled out of their anonymity, and adding a little bit to a region's sense of place. Where little optional blips of history are dusted off, giving your home or journey waypoint a real identity and personality, distinct from wherever you might grind out relic sites, and so on.

When I take a road trip, I love hitting museums along the way. Increasing peoples pull toward these landmarks and oddities, and getting a little bit more of that roadtrip museum feeling within Eve would be incredible.

Posted - 2017.05.07 07:53:05 -
[4] - Quote
Explorers epic arc Escalating new missions to explore new site once visual contact has been made ,could be great idea to show new players around the galaxy and learn skills such as avoiding gate camps and using maps and dotlan to plan routes

Posted - 2017.05.07 08:38:40 -
[5] - Quote
Finding these sites can be a challenge. I like the idea of an Epic Arc. Perhaps 50 non-expiring missions that can be run in any order with a unique cosmetic reward (clothing etc...) for completing it.

Posted - 2017.05.14 08:13:39 -
[6] - Quote
Seems to me that making this an arc devalues the opportunity. Particularly since that's an outdated way of doing things.

Moreover, it undermines the exploration feel. It should not be a mission other than one you make for yourself, or at most a tiny intro to the broader activity. It should be the opposite of grind; It should be a break from whatever you're otherwise doing. A point of interest on the way toward something else. A rewarding detour.

Kinda like a landmark in real life.

So, better for all sites to be good for everyone, at any time.

Further, if it's an SP lump-sum per site, it incentivizes an early-game roadtrip that's true to the idea of a real roadtrip. Trek around, range far, see the sites. Having ISK or cosmetics as a reward is not particularly beneficial. But an SP reward is unquestionably good, which is great since the activity would be likely interesting and fun. The reward is kinda nice for veterans, sorta, but they'd elect to do it mostly for the activity itself. But new players would do it for a big boost on their way toward, say, interceptor.

The entire experience - the process, challenge, the rewards, and what the rewards support - are very much related and resonant with each other. Why dilute that? I'd relish the idea of suggesting that new players to A) do the tutorials, and B) then go on a road trip. Because it will teach them, it will be fun, it will be pretty, and it will be absolutely helpful in every way.

Posted - 2017.05.14 10:50:24 -
[8] - Quote
I dunno, I kinda like it. The Sanctuary picture event from... 2013?... was kind of neat and I could see building on that to include a permanent, low-end reward. Probably don't include the flaming pod though.

Posted - 2017.05.15 13:54:10 -
[9] - Quote
Excellent idea, but I think making SP the reward would make it like a gotta catch em all grind. Instead I think maybe each landmark should grant a skill with a minor buff related to the event in question. For example the site of the pipe-bombing Battleship fleet should give a small buff to smart bombs.

Another thing to consider is that such a proposal would mess with the world order quite a bit as people fight over control of the landmark systems and the routes to them for camping purposes. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, it would even be like fighting over IRL pilgrimage routes of medieval times, it must still be considered carefully so as to not make a mess of things.

Posted - 2017.05.17 12:06:39 -
[11] - Quote
Personally I would be fine with an in-game checklist too. Right now I have to google to even identify the places. The EVE gate, the broken CONCORD station (I saw it a few times, but totally forget where it is), player events like the blood bath, etc. If I go there and inspect the object or a "memorial plate" it checks the location on my list and unlocks the related lore information that I can read any time. EVE has a rich lore that is quite hard to find since the official wiki is closed and EVE Uni is more likely focusing on gameplay related pages.

If you want an intelligent argument, please do, I'm up for it!

But if you want a trolling contest, I will win it by simply not participating.

COPYRIGHT NOTICEEVE Online, the EVE logo, EVE and all associated logos and designs are the intellectual property of CCP hf. All artwork, screenshots, characters, vehicles, storylines, world facts or other recognizable features of the intellectual property relating to these trademarks are likewise the intellectual property of CCP hf. EVE Online and the EVE logo are the registered trademarks of CCP hf. All rights are reserved worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CCP hf. has granted permission to EVE-Search.com to use EVE Online and all associated logos and designs for promotional and information purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not in any way affiliated with, EVE-Search.com. CCP is in no way responsible for the content on or functioning of this website, nor can it be liable for any damage arising from the use of this website.